Days after unveiling its first television spots, the Arizona HomeOwners Protection Effort (HOPE), the chief proponent of Proposition 207, has added three radio ads to the mix.
The ads focus exclusively on the eminent-domain provisions of Proposition 207. All three end with this spoken announcement: “Major funding by Americans for Limited Government, an out-of-state contributor, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.”
Americans for Limited Government is based in Chicago and has no office in Arizona. It is chaired by Howard Rich, a wealthy political activist who lives in New York City.
According to its most recent filings with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, Arizona HOPE took in more than $1.15 million — 86 percent of its funds raised through October 18 — from Americans for Limited Government and the Fund for Democracy, which Rich also heads. (In filings in other states, Rich has identified the Fund for Democracy, which shares his address in New York City, as “a revocable trust [that is] dedicated to assisting citizens assert their constitutional rights.”) It got $150,000 from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Yes on 207” Radio Ad 1: “Prop. 207 Intro”
Attention homeowners and business owners: Your homes and businesses are at risk. By using the power of eminent domain, the government can take your private property and sell it to a developer for his private use, requiring you to move your home or business simply to raise sales and property tax revenues. That is why it’s imperative that you vote “yes” on Prop 207. Protect your business. Protect your home. A “yes” vote on Prop 207 will ban politicians’ efforts to replace one private-property owner with another for economic reasons. Thirty states have recently passed similar protections and many more are voting on them in November. The support for Prop 207 is bipartisan, as property owners across the state are equally at risk. To learn more about why you need to vote “yes” on Prop 207, the Private Property Protection Act, visit hopeforarizona.com. That’s hopeforarizona.com.
Paid for by the Arizona Home Owner Protection Effort. Petitioned to the ballot by 225,000 Arizona voters. Major funding by Americans for Limited Government, an out-of-state contributor, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.
“Yes on 207” Radio Ad 2: “Pizza Place”
Voice 1: Welcome to Joe’s Pizza. How can I help you?
Voice 2: You Joe?
Voice 1: Yeah, that’s right.
Voice 2: Well, Joe, how would you feel if I changed the name of this place to “Mike’s Pizza”?
Voice 1: Like a big national chain?
Voice 2: Yes.
Voice 1: Well, sorry, my property’s not for sale, buddy.
Voice 2: Then I’m gonna get it from the city.
Voice 1: What do you mean by that?
Voice 2: As a developer, I’ll ask the city to use the power of eminent domain to take your piddly little private business and sell it to me. I’m actually gonna tear this place to the ground and expand our own chain of restaurants.
Voice 1: You’re gonna tear down Joe’s Pizza?
Voice 2: That’s right. And when I’m through, this place will be as flat as a thin-crust.
Narrator: Protect your home and business. Vote “yes” on Prop 207, which will stop the government from taking your property just because a developer wants to profit and the city wants additional taxes. For more information on Prop 207, visit hopeforarizona.com. That’s hopeforarizona.com.
Paid for by the Arizona Home Owner Protection Effort. Petitioned to the ballot by 225,000 Arizona voters. Major funding by Americans for Limited Government, an out-of-state contributor, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.
“Yes on 207” Radio Ad 3: “Bulldozers”
Voice 1: Sir, please step away from the front of the bulldozer or we will call the police.
Voice 2: I’m not moving until you get this bulldozer off my land.
Voice 1: Sir, it’s not your land any more, remember? We asked our friends at the city to condemn your private property and sell it to us. Now we’re going to build a strip mall for our personal profit.
Voice 2: Well, I’m still not moving.
Voice 1: Fine, have it your way. Tony, bring in the second bulldozer.
Voice 2: Second bulldozer? No fair.
Voice 1: You may want to retrieve your cat, sir.
Narrator: Vote “yes” on Prop 207. Stop the government from using eminent domain to take your private property and sell it to a developer simply to increase sales and property tax revenues. Protect your home. Protect your business. Vote “yes” on 207. For more info, visit hopeforarizona.com. That’s hopeforarizona.com.
Paid for by the Arizona Home Owner Protection Effort. Petitioned to the ballot by 225,000 Arizona voters. Major funding by Americans for Limited Government, an out-of-state contributor, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.